Thufir checks on his steed, and nods to the others for a job well done before quickly laying down again to get as much rest as possible before his shift, and before the morning. When he rises not long after the sun he does his daily devotionals and readies himself to continue chasing after the cultists, hoping to waste as little time as possible.

Before going to sleep Doyal inspects the spider he shot nodding in agreement at Fargen's remark. My aim was fine, but I need to remember to pull the string back farther next time if I want the shot to have any power behind it, If I don't, I'll just be holding the party back.

In the morning Fargen find Doyal as he is tying his pack to his horse. Doyal turns to the dwarf caught rather surprised at the offer, "Are...are you sure? As you say adventuring is dangerous work, I would feel wrong to take any extra protection Moradin should rightfully give to you, one of his devout followers."

Fargen nods to Doyal to assure him.  "Moradin's weapons are wielded by more than followers.  His protection stands with those who fight against evil and injustice.  May his protection bring you safe travels this day."

Other than a giant ape that doesn't notice you as it hurries across your path chasing a herd of giant elk. Travel is uneventful for the next two days. On the third Just before the outskirts of Elturguard you happen upon the ruins of a small keep. An audible "THUMP!" echoes thru the air. the terrain is hilly spotted with overgrown rows of bushes it would seem this place was once a plantation. Another "THUMP!" echoes thru the evening near an overcast sunset. It seems to be coming from the dilapidated keep.

Under a great oak not far away from you stands a warhorse and a pony, tended by a halfling dressed in chain shirt. He stares at the keep with worry.

After the whole nonsense days prior Nobody had tried when time allotted further experiment with his ward with little actual success or progress. Even so, that never stopped him from trying, exhibiting an excitement only matched by the time with the giants. If some of the party hadn't known better, the tiefling looked as if he might very well try to give chase after the pair with book in one hand and reigns in the other. 

Be all that as it may, the third day's discoveries -- these being the thumps and the keep itself -- are ones that leave even the tiefling less compelled to rush off and more just generally puzzled and rubbing his chin. Spying the halfling, both Nobody and his flying monkey butler perched on his shoulder start to call out for them, but stopped short and glances over to the others. "Uh.. I don't suppose any of you think he might be a lead now?" He stage whisper to the others.

Doyal gratefully accepts Fargen's offer with a nod of his own, "Thank you for this kind gift."

"He is something," Doyal answers with a question look at the halfling before turning his attention to the keep, "What I am not sure, be on your guard something is amiss here."

Doyal dismounts his horse, giving the animal a light pat on its side to be sure it was calm and would not run, then takes a few steps towards the halfling, hand on the hilt of his rapier just in case of trouble, "Hail friend what seems to be the trouble here?"

The halfling looks at you and his hand goes to his sword but seeing that your not threatening "I am Squire Pip. Mi Lord has entered the keep to take care of an evil that resides there, or so rumored. We would not believe that evil can exists so close to the light. He left me here to guard the horses. I only worry that its been awhile." 

There's a sudden loud crash that comes from the keep, then the thumping continues.

Looking down from his mount, Thufir asks, “what is the evil that resides in there? Have you any idea what that noise is that we are hearing?”

Doyal eyes the halfling carefully, looking for any signs he is lying either on his face or in his voice.

Insight 25

Ear for Deceit: Whenever you make an Insight check to determine whether a creature is lying, treat a roll of 7 or lower on the d20 as an 8.

Pip is not lying 

Pip replies while looking aghast at the sound "Mi Lord Ontharr Frume said it was zombies." He looks at the ruins with concern and sighs "Course we don't know what type." 

Meanwhile the sky has become more overcast making the late evening darker than normal. 

Fargen steps forward and speaks to Pip, "The flames of Moradin will purge the undead.  Tend to our steeds and we'll handle this."

Fargen hops off his horse, grabs his hammer and shield, and starts trotting toward the keep.  "I know you can all keep up with a dwarf now!" he exclaims to his companions and departs with a guffaw.

With a weak smile and a bit of a chuckle, Nobody dismounts form his own horse and leads it over to the halfling. "Apologies if we are overstepping certain boundaries, noble squire. But if you do not mind the imposition too much, we will swiftly see to assist your Lord." He glances up to the sky. "Preferably before the weather turns to sour." The tiefling looks back down with a sheepish grin and offers the halfling the leading rope, as he knew he could indeed catch up with Fargen. Even still, Yanda is bid in a mental command to fly off and keep pace with the dwarf until his master could join in the rush to keep. An extensive jaunt to say the least, assuming the distance between it and the halfling is underestimated.

"The cult is lucky to have some reprieve." Thufir says as he hands the reigns of his horse to the boy and then begins to job after his friend towards the keep.

Doyal give a small chuckle at the responses from the others in the party before handing the reigns of his horse to the halfling as well, "With any luck this should not take us long. Was it just your master who went into the keep or did he go with others?"

Pip responds to Doyal as he takes the reins  "He went in alone sadly. Thank you for your help." You make your way to the shattered doors of the keep and of course the thumping grows more audible. 

Looking inside you note this place is more a tower than a keep as the short hallway leads to a room that starts with a walkway that's 5ft wide circling a sunken floor that's ten foot deep. The walkway has a 3ft tall stone railing. 30ft up on the ceiling is a crystal chandelier the walls have indications of where the now rotted away stairs that lead to the battlements used to be. The debris of a large vase litters the floor. Of course there is a stone stairway leading downwards from the ground but no way down other than jumping or climbing. 

The smell of death and moldy earth fill the air as two Ogre Zombies are the apparent source of sounds of the thump. Striking at the barrier between a very calm looking man who doesn't seem worried, more annoyed. The monsters are too busy trying to get to the man to notice you, yet.

(I feel somewhat obligated to ask, what sort of check if any would it be to see if a well-placed crossbow bolt might send the chandelier crashing down on the Ogres? :3)

Nobody cringes at the all to likely scent of rot from the Ogres, but otherwise managed to hold his tongue on any complaints. As he quickly assessed the room's layout next in trying to figure out the best solution towards surprising the undead, his gaze turned upwards... and a slow smile began creeping across his face...

The crystal chandelier looks pretty large and cant be shot down in one shot. Without alerting the zombies

The crystal chandelier is an actual light source here.

Nobody eyes brighten a bit, but as he grinned and started leveling his crossbow for a shot, a side-glance towards Thufir and Doyal gives him pause. He then sighed softly and shook his head, before whispering softly to the others, "They haven't noticed us yet, but its only a matter of time before they do. So, anybody have a plan, or are we to go crossbow blazing and hope for the best?"

Thufir readies his weapon and looks down at the undead below him. Speaking quietly he replies, “I got the one on the right.” He then ducks down behind the rail and moves around the balcony so that he can drop down near it easily.

I guess if you want to be more immersive Use a spoiler to tell me what number and letter on the grid you move too. And a stealth roll.

And are you going left or right?

Perception Ogre Zombie's

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